BED-BREASTED MEEGANSER 309 



the long outstretched neck and head and the gray tone of 

 the back distinguish them from the other sea ducks with 

 white wing-patches. In the female American Merganser the 



Fig. 88. Red-breasted Merganser 



upper throat only is white, and the top of the head and lower 

 throat are darker brown than in the Eed-breasted Mer- 

 ganser ; moreover, the former is almost never seen in the 

 sea itself, though it occurs occasionally in estuaries and at 

 the mouths of rivers. 



American Merganser ; Goosander ; Sheldrake. 

 Merganser americanus 



25.00 



Ad. $. — Head and neck apparently black (glossy green in 

 strong light) ; no crest on hind head ; middle of back black ; tail 

 gray; broad collar about neck, sides of upper back, and entire under 

 parts (except neck) pure white (tinged below in strong light with 

 salmon) ; wings white, showing black quill-feathers and a black 

 bar when spread; bill and feet red. Ad. 9- — Throat white; rest 

 of head and neck, with a crest on hind head, reddish-brown; 

 rest of upper parts and tail gray; wings black, with a white 



